Police are not releasing the victim’s name but did say they had been called to the home before.

Miner says other family members were in the home at the time of the attack, but would not say whether or not they were children.

The victim’s husband, Mohammed Mahdi, 46, appeared in a Newmarket court Saturday morning where he was remanded into custody and will appear in court again Tuesday. He was arrested at the scene and later charged with attempted murder.

The family’s brown brick home sits on a corner lot in a quiet, residential area made up of similar looking houses. It was cordoned off by police tape Saturday afternoon.

The neighbours who live in the other half of the semi-detached house said they heard a commotion Friday night, but didn’t think it was cause for alarm until police descended upon the home.

They said three little girls, ranging in age from 4 to 8, lived in the residence. They could be seen in a window of the house watching their mother being taken to the ambulance on a stretcher.

The neighbours said the woman was “very sweet and friendly.” The man, they said, mostly kept to himself.

“He is the only one walking the kids to the school and taking the kids to the park,” said a neighbour, who lives a couple houses away. “The women, I’d say they are pretty much always staying inside.”

York police’s homicide unit has taken over the investigation. Officers have obtained a search warrant and are collecting evidence at the Aurora home. They are also talking to a number of witnesses through interpreters.